Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 101

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mrs. MeClintock was educated in the common schools of this county, and her girlhood days were spent in her father's home. On the 22d of November, 1870, she gave her hand in mar- riage to David Shannon MeClintock, who was born January 12, 1849, a son of Thomas and Susanna (Kerns) Mcclintock. His father was born in Ireland, February 10, 1797, and died March 5, 1884, while his mother, whose birth oeeurred in Pennsylvania February 20, 1806, passed away July 17, 1884. David S. MeClin- toek was edneated in the schools of Camp Point township, was reared to farm life and made it his work throughout the years of his manhood, adding improvements to his home place and de- veloping the land into very productive fields up to the time of his death, which occurred Decem- ber 12, 1882.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. MeClintock were born four children : Emery T., who was born October 26, 1871, and died February 15, 1878; David W., who was born July 7. 1873, married Cora Mar- shall and lives on the home farm in Houston township: Lanra E., who was born June 28, 1875, and is the wife of Lewis Lefringhouse, a resident of Camp Point township; and Jennie F .. who was born May 19, 1877, and is the wife of Savil Eshom. of Houston township.

626

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Mrs. MeClintock is now the owner of two hun- dred and ninety acres of very valuable land on sections 22 and 27, Houston township, about four and a half miles northwest of Golden, to which she gives her personal supervision, her son oper- ating the land. while she makes her home in the town, where she owns a fine residence. She has a wide acquaintance in Golden and the adjoining districts, her entire life having been passed in this locality.

HIENRY STEINKAMP.

HIenry Steinkamp, who is engaged in the har- ness and saddlery business in Quincy at No. 709 State street, was born in Prussia in 1837. Ile spent the first twenty-one years of his life in his native country and pursued his education in its schools. On attaining his majority he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1858 and located in Quiney. He learned the trade of har- ness and saddle-making in this country and has been engaged in the business in Quiney since 1868. lle is now conducting a well-equipped saddlery and harness establishment and has Se- cured a good patronage.

Mr. Steinkamp was married in Quiney to Miss Mary A. Terliesner in 1863. She was born in Prussia in 1841, and they now have three chil- dren, Henry, William and Anna. The parents are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Steinkamp is a democrat in his political views. Ile has been somewhat active in local political work and has been honored with several offices, serving as second assistant engineer of the city in 1870-71, as marshal in 1872, as city collector in 1875-76, and town collector in 1879, while for the past twenty-five years he has been assessor. ITis election to these various offices is indicative of the trust reposed in him, his capability in the discharge of his duties and his public-spirited devotion to the general welfare.

ANDREW URBAN.

Andrew Urban, deceased, was a representative of the wholesale business interests of Quincy for more than twenty years, becoming a resident of this city in 1880. He was born in Baden, Ger- many, March 25, 1830, and was a son of Andrew and Catherine Urban, who were also natives of Baden, where they spent their entire lives, the father engaging in farming there.

Their son Andrew was a student in the com- mon schools of Germany in his early youth. He

remained a resident of the fatherland until 1852. when he sailed for America, landing in New York. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his unele, Charles Urban, was engaged in the safe manufacturing business, the product of his factory-the Urban safe-being now well known throughout the country. Andrew Urban contin- ued in the employ of his unele for a few years and then went to Chillicothe, Ohio. where he was employed in a brewery for several years. He afterward came to Illinois, settling first in Han- coek county. He borrowed money in order to make this trip, and this fact indicates somewhat his financial resources: but he possessed, instead of capital, a strong determination and resolute will. Ile settled on a farm in Haneock county and, through hard work, was eventually enabled to purchase land. Later he purchased two other farms in that county and he continued his agri- cultural pursuits For a mumber of years, or until he moved to Nauvoo, Ilinois, where he turned his attention to the milling business. purchasing the Ikerian mills, which he operated for eight years : but he was swindled out of that property and. because of this, he removed to Quincy in 1881. ITere he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the wholesale liquor house of Meyer & Bacherich, occupying that position for several years, during which time he managed to save the capital that enabled him to engage in business on his own account. Forming a partnership with his son, under the firm name of A. Urban & Son, they opened a wholesale and retail house for the sale of wines, liquors and beer, this being located at No. 639 Hampshire street, where the son. Gustav Urban, still remains in charge. An- drew Urban was engaged in this business up to the time of his death.

In 1858 Mr. Urban was married in Auburn. Indiana, to Miss Catherine Baer, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, born February 11, 1837, and a daughter of Mathew and Catherine ( Knewrine) Baer, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to America. Soon after his arrival in this country Mr. Baer's health began to fail and because of this he returned to Ger- many, where he died in 1840. Mrs. Baer long

survived him, passing away in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Urban became the parents of ten children. of whom five are now living, namely: William A., who married Dorothea C. Bader and is en- gaged in the liquor business at No. 508 Hamp- shire street : Gustav A., who married Catherine the Ikerian mills, which he operated for eight E. Lafers and was his father's partner in the in full control of this enterprise, having one of the largest honses of that kind in Quincy; Min- nie, who is the wife of Romie Boekenhoff, of Quincy : Theodore who married Dora E. Tay- Ior and is now bookkeeper in his brother's whole-

627

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

sale house; and Edward C., who married Minnie Sherman and is a salesman for his brother. Those deceased are: Lucy, who was the wife of Robert Kuhn : Charles, who died at the age of one year ; Emma, who died when ten years of age; one that died unnamed in infancy ; and Rose, who died at the age of one year.

Mr. Urban gave an unfaltering support to the republican party, keeping well informed on the issues of the day and doing all in his power to advance the party's success, vet never seeking or desiring office for himself. He was particu- larly a self-made man, for, when he arrived in Hancock county, Illinois, he did not have five dollars. He worked earnestly and persistently year after year until he had acquired a hand- some competence. His interests centered in his family, and it was one of his last requests that his wife and sons should remain together, and they are now associated in business, and the family residence is in the same block. Mr. Ir- ban was a prominent and well-to-do business man of Quiney and was a warm, personal friend of Colonel Marsh, congressman of this district. Since her husband's death Mrs. Urban has sold the farms in Hancock county. She now resides at No. 63916 Hampshire street in a flat above the wholesale store, and also owns a large business block at the corner of Sixth and Hampshire streets.

HENRY BARTLETT.

Prominent among the progressive, enterpris- ing and capable business men and financiers of Adams county is numbered Henry Bartlett, who is successfully condneting a private banking business in Clayton. Ile was born in Adams county on the 9th of October, 1847, and is a son of Nathaniel Gorham Bartlett, whose birth oc- eurred in Massachusetts, while the grandfather, George Bartlett, was also a native of that state and was of English descent, his ancestors having come to New England at an early period in the colonization of the new world.

Nathaniel G. Bartlett spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity and when a young man came west to Illinois, settling in Adams county in 1838. He traveled with a colony from Beverly, Massachusetts and purchased a traet of land in what became Bey- erly township. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but, with characteristic energy, he began its develop- ment, cleared the fields, and in the course of time gathered good harvests. Ile was married in this county to Miss Lanra Mills. a native of

Connecticut, who engaged in teaching school in that state and also in Adams county prior to her marriage. Mr. Bartlett continued to engage in farming in Beverly township for several years and then sold his original property and removed to Liberty township, where he purchased a farm and reared his family. In 1869 he took up his abode in Clayton, where he lived a retired life, passing away there in 1871. ITis wife survived him for a long period and died in 1893. In their family were six children, of whom three are yet living. One son, James W. Bartlett, was a sol- dier of the Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry and served throughout the Civil war, after which he received an honorable discharge, and later he set- tled in Iowa and subsequently removed to Wayne, Nebraska, where he is now living retired. He had a son, Elmer E. Bartlett, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war and was killed at Manilla. Charles B., who was a soldier of the Union army, died while at the front and was buried at Andersonville. Mary G. died in 1892. Joseph died in infancy. Laura C. is the wife of Fred Kuntz, of Clayton.

Henry Bartlett, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the common schools and afterward attended a private school for one year. When he had reached man's estate he engaged in the drug business in 1869, pur- chasing a store, which he conducted for four and a half years. He then sold out and became the proprietor of a grocery store, which he managed successfully for several years. He next turned his attention to the dry goods trade, which he conducted until 1889, when, in connection with J. R. Wallace, he purchased the private bank of Montgomery & Craig and has since been an able representative of financial interests of Adams county. The business has constantly grown un- der their supervision, and they are now conduct- ing a profitable banking establishment, having many depositors. Mr. Bartlett also buys and sells real estate. and in the transfer of property has realized a good financial reward.

Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage December 9. 1875, to Miss S. M. Lackey, a daughter of Abel M. Lackey, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have two children : Charles L., an attorney, living in Quiney ; and Bertha E., who is the wife of Dr. Poltie, a den- tist of Clayton.

Mr. Bartlett has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party since casting his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1868. He was elected and served as supervisor of Clayton township for nine years, filling the office for eight consecutive years, and he served on a num- ber of important committees. He has been presi- dent of the town board of Clayton and a mem-

628

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ber of the school board and has been identified with all public measures which have contributed to the general improvement and substantial up- building of the town. He realizes the needs and possibilities of the town and has worked along practical lines, so that his efforts have been far reaching and beneficial. Mr. Bartlett is a self- made man in the fullest sense of the oft misused term. his prosperity in life being due to indus- try and integrity. His career is a living illus- tration of what ability, energy and force of char- acter can accomplish, and his town and county have been enriched by his example. In every- thing pertaining to the upbuilding of Clayton he takes an active interest and is a liberal contributor to the enterprises which insure its progress.

HON. SAMUEL R. CHITTENDEN.

The HIon. Samuel R. Chittenden was born Oc- tober 2, 1817, in Guilford. Connectient, and was the second of the seven children of Colonel John B. Chittenden, the founder of the village of Mendon and one of the early settlers of Adams connty. Ile was born in Guilford, Connertient, January 16, 1790, and was the fourth of the seven children of Deacon Abraham Chittenden, of that place. John B. Chittenden's early life was spent chiefly in agrienltural pursuits in his native place. At an early age he became an active mem- ber of the Congregational church of Guilford and in his twenty-first year was chosen deacon. which office he continually held until he removed to the valley of the Mississippi in the fall of 1831. On the 12th of January. 1814, he was united in marriage to Eliza Robinson, a dangh- ter of Colonel Samuel and Content ( Robinson) Robinson, the former of Guilford and the latter of Durham, Connecticut. Seven children were born of this union, namely : John A., Sammel R., Hlemy R., Abram, Sarah C., John Augustus and Sarah Elizabeth.

On the 19th of September, 1831. with his wife and their four sons in a two horse covered wagon, Colonel John B. Chittenden started for Illinois. Quincy being his objective point, and at East Haven, Connecticut, was joined by Samuel Brad- ley and family and others, making an emigrant train of five wagons and twenty-six persons when they took their departure from New Haven, Con- neetient. In this undertaking he had two dis- tinet objeets in view-first to establish. strengthen and extend the Christian religion by the organization of churches, Sunday-schools, Bible classes, ete. : second to better provide for

his family of boys in a new country. On the 11th of October this emigrant train reached Pitts- hurg. Pennsylvania, where they engaged passage on the steamboat New Jersey for the families and effects, the teams continmning by land. The boat arrived at Cincinnati, October 15. Mr. Chitten- den, with his two sons, Samnel and IJenry, left the boat at this place to visit his brother Abra- ham I. Chittenden at Oxford, Ohio. On the 25th of October, the teams having arrived. Mr. Chit- tenden proceeded on his journey from Oxford, overland, passing through Terre Haute Novem- ber 7, and arriving at Springfield, November 14, that being the first town he sighted after entering Illinois. There he received a letter informing him that his family were in Alton, Illinois. On the 30th of November he fonnd himself and fam- ily frozen in the Mississippi river at Scipio, a rival town of and near Hannibal. Missouri. Af- ter waiting three weeks a sled was secured and the balance of the journey was made on the ice, Mr. Chittenden walking in front with a pole sonnding the ice for airholes and weak places. They arrived in Quiney the latter part of De- cember. 1831 and were there entertained the first night, most hospitably, by Governor John Woods in his log cabin residence under the bluff below the town. Passing the remainder of the winter of 1831-2 in Qniney, on the 2d of March, 1832, Mr. Chittenden purchased of JJacob Gorshong the southwest quarter of section 11, I north, & west, near the present site of Mendon, to which he inoved his family. It was here that his daughter Sarah was born April 19, 1832, and it was in the same log house that the Congregational church of Mendon was formed. the same being the first Con- gregational church organized in the state of Illi- nois.

In February. 1833, Mr. Chittenden purchased the northeast quarter of section II and soon after- ward laid out and platted the village of Mendon, building a house himself on lot 13, which he or- enpied three years. Ile then retired to his farm two miles north of Mendon, where he lived in comfort and ease with pleasant surroundings until the death of his estimable wife on the 30th of October. 1862. A passing note of this good woman seems important to this sketch. Mrs. Eliza ( 'hittenden's entire life was oven and tranquil like a May morning. Her law was the law of kindness: she never allowed herself to speak an unkind word to any one and was an earnest, sym- pathizing Christian, honored and beloved by all. The loss of such a wife and companion in his de- «lining years overwhelmed Mr. Chittenden with grief, and this bereavement was the chief cause of his rapid decline and death from nervous ex- hanstion in less than three months after the death of his wife, dying January 23, 1863. at the age of seventy-three years.

Of DR. Chittenden

MRS. S. R. CHITTENDEN

633

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Ilon. Sammel R. Chittenden, subject of this sketch, attended the district schools of his native village in his youth, but after his arrival in Illi- mois he had limited advantages. Being the oldest of the living children the hardest tasks of the new country naturally fell upon him. lle faitli- fully performed his duty in splitting and hauling rails and breaking prairie, and he remained with his parents until his twenty-second year. In 1840 he saw an opening in the then growing village of Mendon for a general store and with a partner, John R. Baldwin, he embarked in the mercantile business under the firm name of Chittenden & Baldwin. Two years later he bought Mr. Bald- win's interest in the business and continued by himself until he turned the business over to his sons Samuel F. and George R.

Mr. Chittenden was united in marriage Jannary 2, 1845, to Caroline B., a daughter of Lyman and Ann ( Barker) Frisbie, natives of Branford, Con- nectient. The father, who was a farmer, came to Illinois in 1837 and here kept a hotel and car- ried on farming. Samuel R. Chittenden was originally a whig in polities but in 1856 became a democrat and occupied positions of prominence in the political life of his country. For twenty- four years he was justice of the peace and four years served as supervisor. In 1866 he was elected to the Illinois state senate and served four years. While there he was a member of several committees, notably those on banks and corpora- tions and on state institutions. He was a mem- her of the state board of equalization and was a delegate to the St. Louis convention which nomi- nated Tilden for president. He was honored by Governor Palmer with an appointment to the convention at St. Louis to change the capital from Washington, D. C. While serving in the legislature he was instrumental in securing the railroad known as the Carthage branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, of which he was vice president, the first train passing over this line in December, 1870. Mr. Chittenden's health began to fail during the latter part of his public life, but he enjoyed a number of years of well earued retired life and died JJanuary 22, 1899.

Caroline B. Frisbie, the very capable wife of Mr. Chittenden, was born in Branford, Connect- ieut. April 19. 1821, and came to Mendon. Illi- nois, with her parents, byman and Ann (Barker ) Frishie, in the year 1837. Mrs. Chittenden was a woman that sparkled with life and animation and her labor of devotion to home, family, church and community were given with a free heart and untiring energy. She was the mother of three sons, John R., Sanmel F. and George R. Chittenden. All grew to manhood and engaged in business in Mendon. Mrs. Chittenden retained her interests in the affairs of life to a remarkable degree and had active charge of her home within

a few days of the end. She died June 11, 1903, aged eighty-two years.

John R. Chittenden was born September 14, 1847. ITis ambitious nature found him at an early age an active helper to his father in the capacity of clerk in the store and also in the work of the farm during the busy season. In the year 1875 he embarked in the grocery business for himself, later on adding dry goods and notions to his stock. In 1882 he elosed out the stock of dry goods and groceries, replacing it with hard- ware, including stoves and tinware. In 1902 he built a repository and added a line of buggies to his business. To this, in connection with his farm and other interests. he gave his attention with marked energy and pleasure. On the 21st of October, 1875, Mr. Chittenden was united in marriage to Anna S. Brinton, a daughter of W. B. and Sarah illorn) Brinton, and two sons were born of this union: William B., now of Springfield. Illinois : and Samuel R., who is con- dueting his father's hardware business in Men- don. Mr. Chittenden's happy, cheerful disposi- tion and ever ready hand to relieve others in times of trouble or distress won for him many friends wherever his acquaintance extended. In the midst of the activities and pleasures of life a severe illness developed and lingering but a few days, he died September 23, 1904, at the age of fifty-seven years.

Samuel F. Chittenden was born August 12. 1851. At a very early age his father gave him the nick name of "Bob" by which he is commonly known to the present day. In his youth he at- tended school in his native town-Mendon-and later in Qniney, passing his vacations and odd times as an employe in his father's and other stores of Mendon and in farm work. At the close of his school days, in the year 1875, he became a partner in the mercantile business with his father, the firm name being S. R. Chittenden & Son. In 1886 the father retired from business. placing his youngest son, George R., in his stead. and the style of the firm hecame Chittenden Brothers and has continued the same to the pres- ent day. This business has had a continuons ex- istenee for sixty-four years since its first estab- lishment by the father, Samuel R. Chittenden. in 1840. Samnel F., or Boh. has given nearly thirty years of his life to the care of the business with a fervor and close confinement seldom equaled for the length of time. Mr. Chittenden was married June 24, 1893. to Ann Elizabeth MeCormick, of Mendon, a daughter of John and Leah (Kepple) McCormick, and they ocenpy one of the prettiest and best kept homes in the village, constructed to his order. He is vivacious and active by nature. an entertaining conversa- tionalist, positive and outspoken in his views and has a very strong attachment for his friends.

634

PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

George R. Chittenden, the youngest son of Samuel R., and Caroline B. Chittenden, was born April 8, 1858. IFe received his early education in the village schools of Mendon, which was later supplemented by a course of study at Denmark Academy in Denmark, lowa, and Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1886 he entered the business firm of Chittenden Brothers as jnnior partner. In addition to this and other interests he owns and conducts one of the best stock and grain farms in the county. He is enter- prising and zealous in business affairs and his considerate and unbiased judgment makes him a worthy member of the community-esteemed and honored. On the 6th of March, 1905, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie J. Forry, who was born February 22, 1866, and is a daugh- ter of George C. and Adeline V. (JJury) Forry, the former a native of Newark, Ohio, and the lat- ter of Zanesville, Ohio. Mrs. Chittenden was a resident of St. Louis for many years. She is the younger in a family of two children, her brother being Edwin II. Forry, who was born September 27. 1864. With publie spirit and steady purpose, George R. Chittenden is prominent in movements for the advancement of church, community or publie weal. The years of his devotion to the vare and comfort of his parents in their declin- ing years was an example of pleasurable duty. George is genial and affable in manner, and his sympathy and perception of the different phases of suffering and trouble has made for him many warm friends throughout the community.

EMERSON M. MILLER.

The force of character, strong determination, executive ability and unfaltering energy which form the basis of all success have been manifest in the career of Emerson M. Miller, who is a worthy representative of that spirit of commer- vialism which has made this country a leader in the field of production along industrial lines. Mr. Miller, starting in business life as an ap- prentice to the carriage-maker's trade and after- ward working as a journeyman, is now at the head of one of the largest carriage manufactories of the country, engaged in the manufacture of lan- dans, broughams, victorias and hotel 'buses, and in Quincy, where he is best known, he enjoys the full confidence of the business community.

Mr. Miller was born in Middlefield, Connecti- ent. December 5, 1836, and represents one of the oldest families of that state. His great-great- grandfather built the first sawmill in Connecti- out and was afterward killed in the flume of the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 101

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228